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MLS president: Funding approval means Orlando team

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Major League Soccer President Mark Abbott says that if Orlando's county commission approves a funding plan for a new downtown soccer stadium, the league will move quickly to draw up an agreement to award it an expansion franchise.

Abbott met with commissioners Monday, in advance of their vote Tuesday on whether to approve use of $20 million in tourism taxes to go toward funding the $84 million cost of the stadium.

City officials approved the plan earlier this month to help the USL Pro League's Orlando City Soccer Club build a soccer-specific stadium. The team would contribute the rest of the funding for construction.

Orlando City has been lobbying to become a MLS expansion team, but currently plays in the outdated Florida Citrus Bowl.